Recreation ~ Downhill Skiing ~ Okemo Mountain

Named "#1 Family Resort in the Northeast" by SKI Magazine in December, 1998, there's no doubting that Okemo Mountain is big - its vertical drop of 2,150 feet is equaled by only a handful of ski areas in the Eastern United States. Yet, the resort has never lost the personal touch that keeps its visitors coming back for more.

One hundred and six trails comprising 562 acres of terrain, serviced by sixteen lifts, include two scenic upper-mountain gladed areas for expert skiers, and one of the longest and widest open novice slopes in America. The entire resort has been expertly designed to offer plenty of skiing for all ability levels, consisting of 25% beginner, 50% intermediate and 25% expert trails. The new Jackson Gore area represents an expansion into a previously undeveloped section of the mountain, featuring seven new trails with 100% snowmaking capability, all served by a state-of-the-art, high-speed quad chairlift.

In September, 1998, the readers of Mountain Sports & Living Magazine named Okemo #1 in the East for Snow Quality and Grooming; and the resort also garnered "Gold Medals" for Snow Quality, Grooming and Family Programs from the editors of SKI Magazine. Of course, none of this should come as any surprise. The resort maintains the most extensive snowmaking coverage in the East - a whopping 95% - assuring you that conditions will always be at their peak at Okemo.

A Family Resort in Every Way

Okemo Mountain Resort has been slowly transformed from a small local ski area in the early 1980s into one of the Northeast's leading resorts today. Unlike much of the competition in the rapidly consolidating ski industry, Okemo remains independently owned by self-confessed "ski-bums" Tim and Diane Mueller. The Muellers have invested over $100 million in capital improvements during the past 20 years; but more importantly, they have kept all the personal touches that have turned the mountain into a favorite among Hawk guests and owners. Particularly popular are the numerous instructional programs offered by Okemo's Cutting Edge Learning Center. The center features a staff of 250 professional ski and snowboard instructors offering private, semi-private and group lessons for both adults and kids. But it's Okemo's award-winning children's ski programs that have brought the most recognition, including the SKIwee Snow Stars Skiers (ages 4-7), Young Mountain Explorers (ages 7-12) and Get Altitude (ages 13-18).

A constant recognition that it's "the little things that make all the difference," has developed Okemo an extremely loyal following among skiers far and wide. Too numerous to name, some of these "little things" include, free skiing for all children ages six and under, a Young Adult lift ticket category for ages 13-18, and a morning-only lift ticket (for those who want to get in a couple of runs Sunday morning - without having to pay for a full-day of skiing - before heading back to the city).

But One of the Best Reasons for Skiing Okemo is Ten Minutes from the Slopes

"It's not surprising that 50% of the Hawk guests are repeat customers. Spending a vacation in a Hawk Mountain home is the closest one will ever get to spending time in paradise. Hawk is what Vermont is all about."

~Ski Fantasies Magazine

Just the next town over from Ludlow, Hawk is located only 10 minutes from Okemo. But why even worry about driving at all? Or parking for that matter? Hawk will gladly chauffeur you to and from the slopes, affording you hassle-free transportation between your cozy inn room or private villa and some of the most exciting skiing in the East. So reserve accommodations at Hawk for your next Okemo vacation, and we'll make sure that your time off the slopes is every bit as thrilling as your time on them.